Weekend Preview 12/05/17

Highlights

English Premier LeagueCrystal Palace vs. Hull City (Sunday 12pm)Sky Sports 1
Having deservedly lost their last three, Palace find themselves back in trouble and could be deep in the mire if they contrive to lose this one. Hull are fighting for their lives after a shocking home loss to Sunderland last time out when they went off as -1.25 favourites on the handicap, but have been abysmal away from home and have to treat this like a one-off cup game. Allardyce is desperately hoping Dann can pass fit, as his defence has been decimated by injury in recent times and it has really shown.

At the moment he looks likely to make it, but his inclusion will have to be considered a calculated gamble by the manager and he may not be 100%. Cabaye and Tomkins are much less likely to make it, though Ward and Townsend should shake off knocks to start again. On the other side Silva is missing Markovic for a slight loss, but Hull’s team news is considerably better. This game becomes significantly less interesting if Swansea lose to Sunderland on Saturday, so our hope is that the Welshmen win to set this one up to be a cracker. In those circumstances we’d also back the overs.

Suggestion: Hull City +0.5 @ 1.87 and Over 2.5 @ 1.93

English Premier LeagueSunderland vs. Swansea City (Saturday 3pm)No TV
This fixture sets the tone for the weekend, as victory for Swansea would pull Palace even further into trouble and would make it so that Hull have to go looking for a win at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon. Even a draw here keeps things bubbling nicely, but Sunderland showed what can happen when the pressure is off with their win over Hull last time out. They have suddenly become dangerous opponents, especially in front of their own fans for the final time this season.

In a stunning gesture the Swansea squad have paid for 3,000 away fans to make the trip up to Wearside so will have vocal backing, while their cause is further aided by their excellent team news. We think the Swans being half-goal favourites on the handicap is understandable, but a little punchy in the circumstances, and are more content to back a low scoring contest due to the way Clement has tightened the team up. A draw isn’t a disaster, but a narrow away win does seem the likeliest outcome.

Suggestion: Under 2.75 @1.85

English Premier LeagueTottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United (Sunday 4.30pm)Sky Sports 1
Here we have a Tottenham side playing their final game at White Hart Lane versus a Manchester United side who are expected to rotate heavily after squeezing through to the Europa League final on Thursday. There will be a lot of raw emotion on show and the atmosphere should be great, while it would be fitting for these two teams to provide a fitting send-off to the ground after some of their amazing clashes here in the past.

The hosts may be a little low because of their elimination from the title race at the hands of West Ham last time out, but they can now play with some freedom and have had a lot more preparation time than their visitors. Our hope is that Mourinho doesn’t come and completely shut things down with his weaker eleven, but we may need an early home goal to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Suggestion: Tottenham Hotspur -0.75 @ 1.94 and Over 2.5 @ 2.02

Spanish Primera DivisionLas Palmas vs. Barcelona (Sunday 7pm)Sky Sports 5
The hosts welcome back Boateng and Jese for a significant attacking boost, with Gomez, Tana and Michel hoping to bolster the squad even further, but Tana is currently rated 60% to make the eleven. Las Palmas have typically been a different animal at home to the bigger sides, but they have nothing to play for and morale is awful due to a lack of faith in the coach. Barca have to win to keep their title hopes alive and will go for another resounding score, with their motivation restored since the massive result in Madrid. The market seems confident that Enrique’s side will achieve this, with a huge handicap of -3 and a goal line of 4.75 in place. It looks about fair to us.

Suggestion: N/A

Spanish Primera DivisionReal Madrid vs. Sevilla (Sunday 7pm)Sky Sports 3After a bit of a scare in their midweek Champions League with Atletico the hosts need to refocus quickly, because the title is far from sealed. Sevilla are still highly motivated because they are defending their fourth spot from Villarreal, while Real’s midweek tie in Vigo probably means significant rotation will happen either here or there. Zidane knows his men just need to get the job done and that it doesn’t need to be pretty, but the biggest threat to the goal line is Sevilla’s attitude. With a departing coach and poor form, they could fold if they concede early.

Suggestion: Under 4.5 @ 1.88

Ones to Follow

Dutch EredivisieFeyenoord vs. Heracles (Sunday 1.30pm)Sky Sports Red Button
It’s crunch time for Feyenoord, who can clinch their first Eredivisie title with a win against mid-table Heracles. The visitors have a play-off spot to defend and cannot afford to lose, though they’ve deservedly won three of their last five. We’ll back them to play on the hosts’ nerves here.

Suggestion: Heracles +2.25 @ 1.86

Dutch EredivisieWillem II vs. Ajax (Sunday 1.30pm)Sky Sports Red Button
Ajax have to better Feyenoord’s result to snatch the title from De Kuip and though they are away, they are facing more pliable opponents with less to play for. However, this game follows quickly on the heels of a breathless Europa League progression against Lyon and Willem can be awkward.

Suggestion: Willem II +2 @ 1.86

Italian Serie ARoma vs. Juventus (Sunday 7.45pm)BT Sport 1
Juventus will be crowned champions yet again with a draw, while Roma are defending their second place and Champions League automatic qualification spot from Napoli. The visitors are playing in between a huge Champions League semi-final and the Coppa Italia final with Lazio, but the hosts’ team news is poor.

Suggestion: Under 3 @ 1.86

Italian Serie ATorino vs. Napoli (Sunday 2pm)BT Sport 2
Napoli can put huge pressure on Roma if they get a win earlier on the Sunday, and while Torino are solid opponents at home and in decent form it would be a surprise if the visitors failed to take three points. The goals is tempting, but the line is high.

Suggestion: Napoli -1 @ 1.87

German Bundesliga 1RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munchen (Saturday 2.30pm)Bet365
Bayern are already champions by a landslide, but this is still an interesting game as it provides a barometer of just how good this Leipzig side is. They need to take one point from their last two games to guarantee second so should have strong motivation, but this is Bayern.